Hi, sorry this has been like ages but I've been really caught up with school. I hate art but it's finally over, yay!!! And as I am very crappy at responding to reviews I'd like to thank: Minpin, Tayles, Tanya, Sayuri Tananka, Yvelle, Lemon Princess, Ann, Sue, Wolfen, Katu, Dacia, Lura Maxwell, Elyndys, FT, Deathwraith, Dyna, DRL, Amuse_g, Chang Liu, Maud and Shirls; for all your support J

Title: Somewhat Damaged

Author: Raven (spirit_raven_willow@hotmail.com)
Contents: Yaoi!!! Semi-AU (set after endless waltz), slightly OOC, future lemons

Rating: NC-17
Pairings: 1x2, 3x4, 6x5
Notes: I have no real idea where this is gonna go so C&C VERY welcome. Duo, Heero and Wufei work for the Preventers, Trowa is a Journalist, Quatre works for Winner Inc and Zechs owns a gay/Bi bar (this may or may not have *any* significance to the plot I haven't decided) anyway it's after endless waltz and everyone it trying to have normal lives and forget the war but old scars don't always fade.

Italics denote flashbacks
Archive: Anywhere but ask please

Fanfiction.net: http://www.fanfiction.net/read.php?storyid=444812

A little piece of Gundam Wing:

http://raygunworks.net/singles2/somewhat/somewhat.html

Disclaimer: Don't own, don't sue… All you'll get is a purple bunny named Duo and coursework.

Chapter 9 – Let's take a break

It was a good long while till he moved to talk again. He explained that everyone he'd ever loved had died and left him alone and that he was scared that I'd do the same. He told me that he thought that I'd leave him after we slept together. These thoughts upset me no end, I could barely believe that Duo would think that I'd use him just for sex; I thought he knew me better than that. But then I realise that the fears are deeply rooted and weren't all together rational.

I scooped his unresisting form off the floor and carried him into the bathroom. Setting him down on the closed toilet seat I lit some of the scented candles that he kept in here, and closed the blinds so although the room was reasonably well lit the light was soft on the eyes. I turned on the taps and added bubble bath to the running water waiting for the large tub to fill. I went over to Duo and tilted his chin up so he was vaguely looking at me.

"Duo I've run you a bath. It'll make you feel better but before that I'm going to have to undress you. I won't hurt you I promise. Is that ok?" he nodded numbly in response. I undid the tie on his sweat pants and lifted his hips up to take them fully off.  I picked him up again and gently lowered him into the warm water. He sighed as it enveloped him, easing away the strain of the past day. I picked up the flannel and, wetting it, wiped his face, down his neck and across his chest. I this had been any other time I would have found the sight of Duo naked and at my mercy very arousing but I couldn't take advantage of his vulnerability like that. I'd not only be no better than Alex but I would ruin any chance I ever had with Duo. So I washed his tired body with due care and attention and nothing more: Washing away the sweat and tears.

"Duo, I would like to wash your hair, is it ok to take it out of its braid?" I said this in soft toned trying to make it not sound like an order. Even though he gave me his braid several weeks previously I knew it was very sacred to him and I didn't want to inadvertently violate something that was so important to him.

He looked up at me almost as if he didn't believe what I had said.

"Is it ok Duo?"

"No one's ever asked my permission before." Was all he said before he dropped his head down to rest on his knees.

"I'll take that as a yes." I pulled the half wet braid out of the bath to take the tie off and undid the sections till it floated loose on the water. I found the hand held shower extension and fiddled with the temperature till it was perfect. I tilted his head backwards as I started to wet the chestnut mass. Dropping the shower head face down in the bath I found Duo strawberry scented shampoo and, tipping a large quantity of it into my hands, started to work it in. I massaged his scalp till he was making unconscious contented noised and then moved down the length till it was clean and rinsed it thoroughly, then repeating it with the conditioner.

"Duo time to stand up now," he stood and I wrapped one of the fluffy blue towels he'd bought around his body and another, larger one, around his hair.

I lead him through to our bedroom and towel him off, leaving him naked for the time being as trying to get pyjama pants on him would have been an enterprise not worth the effort, and I did however pull a blanket around his waist to give him modesty. Sitting behind him I started to brush out his hair before blow-drying it. Whether it was a combination of the heat, or the soothing action of his hair being brushed, or exhaustion when I switched the dryer off Duo was asleep. Laying him in bed I pulled the covers up over chest and tucked him in. The cat wandered in and curled up asleep next to him.

I walked back through the apartment to the vidphone and called Une. I then realised that I was still only in my boxers and so grabbed my dressing gown wrapping it round me before calling her.

"Une."

"Une, Duo and I need some time off."

"That isn't possible you know how backed up we are, we need two of our best agents."

"Look Une, we never ask for time off and we have done some of the worst missions possible. Please could you give us a break, consider it payback for last month when we had to spend two days in that crawlspace in Queens doing surveillance that turned out to be nothing."

"I can't let you go."

"Une, look at Duo." I moved the screen round so it pointed through to the bedroom. Duo was laying there with a troubled expression one hand gripping the bedclothes the other lay out wrist up, showing tick red line that were yet to heal fully. "He's having a hard time of it; I want him to have some alone time."

Une stared past me to the figure on the bed. "Acceptable Yuy. I hate seeing him like this and something says that it got a lot worse today. I'll give you a week off, on full pay. We'll call it medical leave. Is that ok with you?" she raised and eyebrow.

"That's great, we appreciate this."

"I hope Duo feels better soon, we miss him." Another voice called from behind her. I grinned Duo was always popular with the female employees.

"Domo Arigato, Lady." I signed off.

Duo looked so beautiful spread out on the bed. The troubles and cares of the say not showing now on his heart shaped face. I stripped off my cotton pyjama pants favouring some black satin ones and after placing a soft kiss on his cheek I set to work.

***

*Duo P.O.V*

I woke to the smell of jasmine, vanilla and sandalwood. I looked at the clock as I got out of bed, noticing that I'd slept away most of the day and it was growing dim outside. I followed the smell into the lounge and was greeted with Heero looking like something otherworldly.

The living room was completely covered in candles; every surface seemed to be covered with burning lights. I knew that we didn't own that many candles so he must have gone out, I wondered what else he had bought while I was sleeping. He looked utterly beautiful kneeling in the centre of the mass of candles, golden light reflecting off his golden skin; he gave of the how ever clichéd image of fallen angel because as much as he looked like he was surrounded with seraphim gold, his hair was ruffled and he was shirtless, only dressed in loose black drawstring trousers that had a growing bulge in the front.

Soft music that I couldn't quite make out played in the back ground as I moved into the centre on the circle and knelt before my love.

"Heero, what's this all for?"

"For you angel."

"I'm not angel, nor am I worthy of this effort"

"But you are and I want to give you the first time you deserved."

I couldn't think of anything to say so I just kissed him and he kissed back. We just held each other for a while like drowning sailor to a mast, bathed in the warm light.

Tbc…

Hi, please can people review I really love hearing from you J there should (hopefully) be lemons in the next chapter so those of you who have been bugging for sex, you'll get it soon.